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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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February 27, 2015

Fireplace Makeover Reveal!

Some people count sheep to fall asleep. Or their blessings.

And while I definitely try both of those (plus a little Tylenol PM!) when I’m suffering from insomnia, nothing helps me relax and calm my mind more than envisioning rooms all redecorated. I envision rooms in my own home, my friends’ homes, and homes which only live in my imagination.

simple french country styled fireplace atthepicketfence.com

And while very rarely do I get the chance to see those visions come to life, there are those times when everything I saw in my mind’s eye as I drifted off to dreamland actually comes to fruition and it’s even BETTER than what I had envisioned.

So it was with the makeover that took place recently in my home involving a whole lot of dreaming and a whole lot more paint!

Last week I shared with you how we transformed a built-in china cabinet and you can see that makeover here.

And while I’m not ready to show off the entire family room makeover, I am going to whet your whistle a bit and show you the fireplace!

Here is how it looked BEFORE…

family room before2

…and here it is NOW!

white french country styled fireplace makeover atthepicketfence.com

I honestly get a huge grin on my face every time I look at it. And I swoon a little bit…ok, who am I kidding? I swoon A LOT! 😉

Just look at how the lighter color enhances all of the wonderful details.

fireplace details atthepicketfence.com

I freely admit to having just a wee bit of fun decorating it once it was all done.

Adding simple wood candlesticks.

wood candlesticks on mantel atthepicketfence.com

Dried lavender in an urn

french country simple fireplace decorating atthepicketfence.com

Old books and a ‘faux’ deer antler.

vintage books on the fireplace atthepicketfence.com

The change is dramatic, no?

before and after fireplace makeover atthepicketfence.com

And just wait until you see the rest of the room! Hee hee!! I’m soooo excited about how the shelves turned out and have had a blast accessorizing them. Off to hang curtains now and I’ll meet you back here next week with another reveal!

Hope you have a fantastically fabulous weekend friends,

Vanessa signature

42 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas, Mantels

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Susie @ The Chelsea Project Blog says

    February 27, 2015 at 2:46 AM

    Yowza! Love the new look….and love all of the accessories…..especially the artwork. Congrats on a beautiful redo.

    Reply
  2. Sissie says

    February 27, 2015 at 3:49 AM

    Oh my what a lovely transformation. Looks beautiful!!

    hugs
    Sissie

    Reply
  3. barb says

    February 27, 2015 at 3:58 AM

    Glad you are only showing it a bit at a time – something to look forward to! And swoon over that artwork – did you do it and what is it?

    Reply
  4. Judy McMillon says

    February 27, 2015 at 4:06 AM

    Its just beautiful!! There was a time when I yearned for dark wood but now I’m so glad we never changed anything. I love what you’re doing. Can’t wait to see more!

    Reply
  5. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    February 27, 2015 at 4:28 AM

    It looks gorgeous. What a dramatic change. Love it.

    Reply
  6. Peg says

    February 27, 2015 at 4:30 AM

    It’s GORGEOUS Vanessa, and you are as well!
    : )

    Reply
  7. Kim says

    February 27, 2015 at 4:32 AM

    Yes, yes, yes. I’m so glad to see you painted that dark wood!! I know the whole room will look super!

    Reply
  8. Nancie says

    February 27, 2015 at 5:00 AM

    Wow! A gorgeous transformation! Can’t wait until I see the rest of the family room!

    Reply
  9. Cathie says

    February 27, 2015 at 5:24 AM

    The room looks lovely. How did you know what to put in the place of the mirror with brassy rods going over it? It looks perfect but I wouldn’t have known how to find it or use it in the first place.

    Reply
  10. laura@top this top that says

    February 27, 2015 at 5:35 AM

    looks great Vanessa!

    Reply
  11. Linda says

    February 27, 2015 at 6:04 AM

    Looks amazing, love it!

    Reply
  12. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    February 27, 2015 at 6:32 AM

    Truly amazing transformation Vanessa!…I can just see you doing the Happy Dance when it was completed…great mantlescape…just gorgeous!…

    Reply
  13. Lisa Barno says

    February 27, 2015 at 7:17 AM

    Lovely! Love those candlesticks.

    Reply
  14. Debra@CommonGround says

    February 27, 2015 at 7:36 AM

    this is absolutely gorgeous! Can’t wait to see the whole room. I’m like the others, we want to know about that wonderful artwork on the mantel!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 8:28 PM

      Thank you Debra! I purchased the artwork a few years ago at TJ Maxx and it’s one of my all-time favorite pieces! 🙂

      Reply
      • Lorie Sullivan says

        August 18, 2015 at 2:32 PM

        I love the artwork above the fireplace. Is it one of a kind? Beautiful!

        Reply
        • At The Picket Fence says

          August 18, 2015 at 4:49 PM

          Thank you Lorie! I purchased it at TJ Maxx a few years ago and totally agree with you that it’s beautiful! 😉

          Reply
  15. Joanne says

    February 27, 2015 at 8:02 AM

    The miracle of a little paint.

    Reply
  16. Cindy says

    February 27, 2015 at 9:06 AM

    Absolutely love the artwork on the mantel. The transformation is beautiful!!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 8:27 PM

      Thank you so much Cindy!

      Reply
  17. Anita says

    February 27, 2015 at 9:38 AM

    Love it Vanessa!! And I love the art — it reminds me of an overdyed rug, which I am loving:-)

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 8:26 PM

      Thank you so much Anita! Have a great weekend sweet friend!

      Reply
  18. Michele says

    February 27, 2015 at 12:19 PM

    Whoo hoo! WOW what a difference paint makes – another awesome re-do. Congrats, it’s fabulous!
    Can’t wait to see the rest of the space – what little bit hints at us looks pretty darned awesome.

    Have a wonderful weekend, you two!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 8:25 PM

      Thank you so much Michele!!

      Reply
  19. Diane says

    February 27, 2015 at 1:22 PM

    So pretty! And I thought I was the only one who envisioned rooms when I was nervous or couldn’t sleep! I also use this trick during take-off and turbulence when I am flying! Now I know I am not crazy (or at least alone in my craziness) LOL

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 8:25 PM

      LOL Diane!! You are definitely not alone in your craziness!! 😉 I do that while I’m flying too. Thank you so much for coming by today and for your sweet comment about the makeover!

      Reply
  20. Janet says

    February 27, 2015 at 1:35 PM

    Vanessa it looks great in white. I love painted white furniture. I too want to know about the beautiful framed artwork on the mantel.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 8:20 PM

      Thank you Janet! The artwork on the mantel is from TJ Maxx and I purchased it about 4 years ago. My absolute all time favorite piece!

      Reply
  21. Cindy says

    February 27, 2015 at 2:57 PM

    OH MY!!!!!! And you were worried about what people might think with all the paint…hehehe. THIS IS GORGEOUS TO THE MAX! I love this green with the white. WOW! Your totally inspiring me to get with it and start painting my house

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 7:51 PM

      Thank you Cindy!! I know I was so worried but everyone has been so nice and honestly I love it so much I don’t care what anyone else thinks! 🙂

      Reply
  22. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    February 27, 2015 at 4:41 PM

    Beautiful, Vanessa! It’s amazing how paint can transform a space.
    xx,
    Sherry

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 5:31 PM

      Thank you so much Sherry!! 🙂

      Reply
  23. Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says

    February 27, 2015 at 6:03 PM

    It is just beautiful, Vanessa! And the way you have accessorized it is stunning! Can’t wait to see more of the room!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2015 at 7:55 PM

      Thank you so much Jane! Hope you have a fabulous weekend friend! 🙂

      Reply
  24. Anna says

    February 27, 2015 at 8:15 PM

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! I know exactly what you mean about falling asleep dreaming about spaces, that’s exactly what I do. 🙂

    Anna

    Reply
  25. Gilly @ Colour Saturated Life says

    February 27, 2015 at 9:15 PM

    What an incredible transformation…..I just love how it looks and how you have it styled…beautiful!

    Reply
  26. Courtney says

    February 27, 2015 at 10:31 PM

    It is SO pretty Vanessa!! I love the change and know the rest of the room will be amazing as well!

    Reply
  27. Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says

    February 28, 2015 at 5:36 PM

    Wow it looks incredible! That may just convince me to do the same with mine instead of tearing it off to put stone – that my husband and I cannot agree on! Love the new look!
    Shelley

    Reply
  28. Jack Sander says

    March 1, 2015 at 4:06 AM

    The difference in tremendous, for the good, and the candlesticks just enhance the overall look of the fireplace.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      March 1, 2015 at 7:43 PM

      Thank you so much Jack!

      Reply
  29. kristin says

    March 4, 2015 at 5:01 PM

    I LOVE this!! So very pretty! Love all the decor around it, you are so talented! XO

    Reply
  30. Kara says

    March 5, 2015 at 8:45 AM

    I know how long white cabinetry has beckoned to you and how long you have put a cheerful face on the dark wood. But now change is happening – yay! It looks SO beautiful, fresh and updated, and just more “you”. I love it!

    Reply

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Happy Independence Day!! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙 M Happy Independence Day!! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙

May we never take for granted the freedom given to us not by earthly authorities but by the ONE true authority. And may we live in such a way as to honor those who fought for and protect freedom and liberty. 

“Independence Day, freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” Dwight D. Eisenhower
Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to sha Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to share all of the details of our family room shelving makeover but I’m super impatient and just had to give you all a sneak peek!! We are SO happy with how they turned out and it finally looks like I’ve always envisioned. Our quick fix years ago (scroll to see the before photo) never felt quite right but now? Soooo much better!! 🙌🏻 Big shoutout to our amazingly talented friend Matt @redemptive_woodworx for bringing our vision to life and doing such impeccable work.

I hope you all have a great start to the 4th of July weekend and make sure to check my stories later for Friday Funnies!
“Summer breeze, makes me feel fine. Blowing thro “Summer breeze, makes me feel fine. Blowing through the jasmine in my mind.” Nothing captures the aroma of summer for me quite like jasmine. With my windows open, the whole house is naturally scented and it’s one of my favorite parts of the season.
The month of June is coming to a close and it has The month of June is coming to a close and it has been JAM packed! The highlight by far though was my son's graduation from high school. When I started blogging, he was only 6 years old and some of you have been apart of my community here for that entire time. Now, he's 19 and there is a reason parents are told not to blink because the years truly do go faster than I ever could have imagined. He has become such an incredible young man we are so excited to see how God is going to unfold the next chapter of his life. We celebrated with parties galore (SO many open houses to attend!) and made memories we'll forever cherish. My mama heart was filled to bursting with the joy of it all! Now we're taking some time to just enjoy these warm, summer days making even more memories because, when you’re at this stage of parenting, you know all too well how much you need to grasp every opportunity to spend time together.

I hope your summer is off to a great start too dear friends! 🪴
“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts o “And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Happy first day of summer dear friends!! I can’t believe it’s been so long since I posted something new here but life has been crazy. I’ll have some new photos of house projects and life events to share with you soon but, got now, I’m just going to enjoy this gorgeous first day of summer after our ridiculously long, wet spring. ☀️
“It was June, and the world smelled of roses. Th “It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.” (Maud Hart Lovelace) 

Welcome June!
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General Douglas MacArthur

Grateful today and every day for those who were vigilant to the point of death in the preservation of our freedom. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
We may be easing into summer in the slowest way po We may be easing into summer in the slowest way possible here in the Willamette Valley but maybe if I change out my decor I can will it into happening. Wishful thinking I know! Brightening up my dining room centerpiece was a good place to start though and it only took five minutes! 🙌🏻 🍋 Now we just need some sunshine and warmer temperatures outside to match the decorations on the inside! 
 
*faux lemons, greenery and 
dough bowl are all from 
@hobbylobby *
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka. Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
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